Cultural and Artistic Reformation Activity - Calligraphy Competition

To cultivate the temperament of the inmates, create a cultural and artistic atmosphere, enhance literary and artistic literacy, and improve their disposition, while encouraging creativity to strengthen correctional functions and achieve the purpose of reformation, this facility organized a calligraphy competition. Through the presentation of calligraphy works, it is hoped that inmates can calm their minds before picking up the brush, display their character through their writing, and promote the beauty of Chinese cultural art, integrating the art of calligraphy into the aesthetics of daily life.

A total of six inmates signed up for this event. Inmate A Zhi (alias) stated that as a child, he was playful and did not like studying. He was always uninterested and inattentive in class and did not graduate from middle school, with his handwriting being especially messy. When he first entered the prison, he often quarreled with others due to different living habits. It wasn't until he violated rules by fighting that, under the advice of a supervisor, he began practicing calligraphy. This helped him cultivate patience and concentration. By writing with a brush, he purified his mind and calmed his agitated emotions. Although he did not win a prize in this competition, he has now developed neat handwriting and can write properly, no longer feeling embarrassed by his poor writing. More importantly, he has developed patience and perseverance, enabling him to face difficulties with a calm mind.

Warden Huang Hongxi stated that Chinese culture is profound and extensive, and calligraphy is a unique visual art of traditional Chinese culture. Practicing calligraphy can achieve temperament cultivation and emotional stability through the coordination of breath and muscles, fostering noble character. From the strokes and structure to the overall visual presentation, one can appreciate the beauty of the ink and characters. While writing, the writer also tastes the beauty and philosophy of poetry and aphorisms, understands the spiritual values of traditional culture, and establishes a positive outlook on life.

At the end of the event, the prison secretary invited the heads of various departments to serve as judges. The evaluation criteria included the relevance of the content to the theme, spirit and charm, strokes and lines, and spatial structure. Participants could decide on the format and style of their work, allowing for diversity in the presentations. After careful consideration, the judges selected the top three works and awarded them. Through this event, inmates experienced the infinite charm of traditional Chinese culture, enhanced their aesthetic appreciation, promoted cultural literacy, and subtly cultivated graceful character traits.